Hospital Declared Toddler Dead. Hours Later Came A Miracle.

An Arizona toddler pulled from a backyard pool was pronounced dead, only to be found breathing hours later in a hospital morgue by a medical examiner.

In February, first responders rushed an 18-month-old to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center after he was found inside the family’s suburban pool on Super Bowl Sunday, according to police records obtained by ABC15. A GoFundMe page for the family identified the baby as Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, who was underwater for about five minutes. 

Heavily redacted body camera footage shows two officers with the Gilbert Police force responding to the scene and carrying the toddler inside the hospital. 

Citing police records, ABC15 reported that officers observed multiple signs of life and alleged that hospital staff, including a licensed doctor, rushed to judgment.

One officer stated that he heard a nurse report finding a pulse and tried to alert the doctor, but claims the medical professional quickly dismissed his concerns.

In the report, the police officer said the doctor, identified as Dr. Aryan Toosi, “arrogantly told me that he was the doctor, he has the medical degree, he went to medical school for a reason, and to let him do his thing,” according to ABC15. The outlet located that contentious exchange in the body camera video moments before he declared the baby dead. 

“I went to medical school for a reason,” he is heard saying. “Let me just clarify.” 

 

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At about 6:20 p.m., the doctor declared the baby dead, according to the police records. Over the next hour, however, police officers reported hearing the child make “gasping sounds.” Right before the baby was transported to the morgue, officers said they heard “another audible gasp.” Almost an hour later, inside the cold morgue, an officer said she observed “another gasp or air release.” 

A nurse reportedly dismissed the sounds, which were redacted from the videos, as a likely response to resuscitation efforts. The last available recordings showed the family forced to say goodbye to their child. 

Then, the unexpected happened. Five hours later–right before midnight–a medical examiner found the baby was breathing inside the morgue. He was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. On the official police records, law enforcement said the baby was “pronounced deceased in error,” according to ABC15. 

The baby underwent an MRI that apparently revealed brain damage that will require “lifelong care.” It’s unclear whether the pool accident or mistreatment at the hospital caused the baby’s brain damage. However, the GoFundMe page said a follow-up MRI found no brain damage, only a “small area of bruising,” which doctors believe may cause minor balance issues.

“Despite this miracle, Vincent still faces a long and challenging recovery. He will need extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring, and support for his healing organs,” the fundraising page read.

An attorney representing the family declined to comment, according to ABC15.

Mercy Gilbert, the hospital that erroneously declared the baby dead, called it a “heartbreaking situation.”  

“We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care,” the hospital told ABC15. “Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative. Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority.”

Records reviewed by ABC15 show that Dr. Aryan Toosi is licensed through the Arizona Osteopathic Board. ABC15 Investigators reached out to Dignity Health to see if Dr. Toosi is still employed with the hospital.

“We are unable to comment on specific personnel. Like many hospitals, we have both employed and independent physicians who are affiliated with our facilities,” Dignity Health said to ABC15. 

Dr. Toosi’s attorney declined to comment, according to ABC15. The Gilbert Police Department submitted the case to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review as prosecutors consider whether to pursue charges against the parents in connection with the drowning.